The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis has been rated at 10 percent prior to December 21, 2019 and at 20 percent since then. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for either period.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations provided findings that did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with no findings of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less since December 21, 2019.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080547
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, and also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the degenerative joint disease from April 18, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an effective date prior to November 4, 2009, for the grant of service connection for a back disability and granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for initial ratings, secondary service connection, and TDIU were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent from June 20, 2016, to October 22, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent from October 23, 2019, for lumbar spine spondylosis due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding the severity of the disability without the ameliorative effects of pain medication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for service connection of a back disability secondary to a service-connected right knee disability is remanded. The Board needs more medical evidence.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.